can I eat prosciutto?
Prosciutto is a raw, dry-cured ham, so it's best not eaten cold during pregnancy unless it's been frozen first or the pack says ready to eat — the concern is toxoplasmosis and listeria. Cooked until steaming, it's fine.
why it matters
Prosciutto is cured with salt and air-dried, never cooked, so the toxoplasma parasite can survive the process. Toxoplasmosis is rare and often symptomless for you, but it can cross the placenta. Freezing or cooking removes the risk entirely.
how to have it safely
Cook it — prosciutto-wrapped chicken roasted through, or crisped prosciutto on a hot dish, is safe. Alternatively, freeze slices for four days before eating them cold.
worth knowing
- The same advice applies to Parma ham, serrano ham, coppa and bresaola — all raw-cured meats.
- NHS: freeze cured meats for 4 days at home to kill parasites, or cook thoroughly.
- Melon with parma ham at a restaurant is the classic dish to politely skip.
- Some UK pre-packed cured meats are already deep-frozen in production — check for a ready-to-eat label.
common questions
What's the difference between prosciutto and cooked ham for pregnancy?
Cooked ham has been heat-treated, which kills parasites and bacteria, so it's fine to eat cold in the UK. Prosciutto is raw and only cured, so it needs cooking or freezing first.
Can I eat crispy prosciutto on a salad?
Yes, if it's been properly crisped in a hot pan or oven until cooked through — the heat kills toxoplasma and listeria.
also in meat
Aligned with guidance from the NHS, FDA and WHO. This is general information, not personal medical advice — check with your midwife or doctor about your own situation. How we write.